DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION: San Bernardino County GOP chairman reacts to Obama's speech

Curt Hagman,a San Bernardino County supervisor and chairman of the San Bernardino County Republican Party, offered the following observations about the Democratic National Convention:

In the most anticipated speech of the Democratic National Convention, the 44th President of the United States took to the stage to make the case for Hillary Clinton.The President began his message with a recap of things that he accomplished in office. Then he advocated for Clinton, stating the work they started eight years ago is nowhere near complete.

The president was correct when he said that “America is a generous, big-hearted, hopeful country”. He was right that “this nation has been tested by war, recession, and other challenges”. He was right that “the work is not complete” in forming a more perfect union.

America is strong and resilient. Yet, not all is well in our nation and no amount of beautifully articulated rhetoric can erase the damage that Hillary Clinton has done to this country in her more than 40 years of service.

The president said that, “In the midst of crisis, she listens. She never, ever quits.” How do you explain that to the families of the men who lost their lives in Benghazi? As secretary of state, Hillary Clinton did not listen, and she quit on the families who cried out to her for help to find the truth. She was more interested in protecting herself from blame than in saving American lives.

The president alluded to a powerful statement by former Republican President Teddy Roosevelt about “failing while daring greatly”. Any public servant who has been in office for any amount of time can relate to the inspiring message contained in his quote about the person “who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly”. Unfortunately, Hillary Clinton’s failures were not made while daring greatly, or striving valiantly or even putting America’s interests first.

Public officials face a myriad of choices on a daily basis. We make decisions that affect the lives of the constituencies we serve. Sometimes these decisions involve life and death situations, and those decisions follow leaders for the rest of their career. These choices are not often made lightly, but they can be made carelessly or for the wrong reasons.

Hillary did not strive valiantly, or dare greatly, when she failed to respond to the Libyan embassy’s cry for help. The administration deliberately blamed a YouTube video for an attack on American diplomatic soil that claimed the lives of four brave souls, including an American ambassador. This was not a mistake; it was negligence and an example of her failure to listen and lead.

And most recently, she continued to tread the path of bad judgment with her decision to use a private email server to receive highly classified official government information. Choosing convenience over national security should concern even the most apathetic American. Once again, her flippant approach to sensitive information and careless decision making involving American national security shed light on the type of experience she will bring with her to the Oval Office if elected president.

When the President stated, “she is more qualified than me and Bill,” he referred to her 40 years of public service. But, digging down deep to the results of that service experience shows a starkly different picture. Experience does not guarantee expertise. Examining her work as secretary of state, and the disastrous aftermath of her decision making in Libya, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, North Korea, and Russia demonstrates that, if the future is anything like the past, her "experience" and "qualifications" no doubt spell trouble for our nation.

Finally, the president stated, “If you’re wondering about her judgment? Take a look at her running mate.” Unfortunately, one good decision does not exonerate anyone from a history of poor judgment, least of all, someone running for the highest office in the land. The vice president won't have a finger on the red button. Because good judgment makes a great deal of a difference.

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